Fireproof composition for building purposes.



PATENT 'OFFI I X /W UNITED STATES HAROLD \V. HATHAWAY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FIREPROOF COMPOSITION FOR BUILDING PURPOSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 644,8 21, dated March 6, 1900. Application filed June 10, 1898- Serial No. 683,095. (No specimens.)

To (IJZ 107mm if may concern:

Be it known that-I, HAlROLD W. HATHA- WAY, of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Fireproof Composition for Building Construction, &c., of which the following description is a specification.

In the construction of fireproof buildings it is now usual to fill in the space between the ceiling and the floor above with some material which will protect the beams and girders in the event of fire and which by its incombustibility will retard or altogether prevent the spread of tire. It is also desirable to use some material in the construction of the walls which will not crumble or disintegrate under the influence of great heat. In the course of my experiments to produce a material having the required characteristics and which in its cost of production shall be so low as to bring it within reach of the general public I have discovered a composition which maybe used in various forms to accomplish the desired ends.

In accordance therewith my invention consists in a fireproof composition for building construction, &c., composed of finely-divided coal-ash as a base and a liquid silicate of soda incorporated therewith as a binder,with fi nor-- spar as a setting agent, substantially as will be described.

In carrying out my invention I take coalashes sift them well, and preferably bolt can to reduce to a very light fine powder. To about six parts, by bulk, of the finely-di vided coal-ash I add about one part, by bulk, of a suitable binder, preferably silicate of s od a in the form known commercially as water-glass, thoroughly mixing the base and binder together until they are well incorporated. The composition so made may be molded into-desired shapes or it may be used between or applied directly to the beams or girders of abuilding. It can also be applied with a trowel to walls or ceilings in the same manner as and as a substitute for ordinary plaster.

Inasmuch as the coal-ash and binder composition sets somewhat slowly, attended by slight shrinkage, it is desirable for many purposes to incorporate a setting agent therewith to quickly set the mixture and so avoid the shrinkage. A small percentage of fluorspar may be used as the setting agent, about one-fourth of one part, by bulk, being usually sufiicient.

The composition when dry is hard and has a fine or close grain, thoroughly fireproof under all circumstances, and it is much lighter in weight than natural stone or the Portlandeement mixtures.

\Vhen raised to a very high temperature and suddenly subject-ed to the action of cold water, the composition will not'crack or disintegrate, nor will it crumble when subjected to high temperature alone.

A 'pigmentor coloring-matter can be mixed with the composition to give it any desired color, the natural color being a neutral gray.

The composition is somewhat absorbent of moisture up to acertain point; but by increasing the proportion of the bihder or adding oil or other waterproofing material the composition may be made moisture-proof and used for external construction.

. My fireproof material may also be used for the purpose of fireproofing metallic girders or beams by substantially inclosing the same in the composition. When so used, I have found it advisable to add to the composition about one-eighth of one part of powdered oxid or peroxid of manganese, which forms, with the silicate of soda, a species of cement which causes the composition to adhere closely and firmly to the metallic beam or girder, and if the composition is to be applied asa plastering to metallic lathing the addition of the manganese is advisable.

While I have-herein described the proportions of the various ingredients entering into the composition which will give good results, I do not restrict myself thereto, for the proportions may be varied according to circumstances without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

The composition may also be used for lining the fire-pots of stoves, furnaces, &c., or in other places where a lining having a very high resistance to heat is required.

Having fully described my invention, what 101: y whereof 2' .v M m 2 644,821 I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patname to this specification in the presence of ant, is- A two subscribing witnesses. The herein-descri bed fireproof composition of matter, consisting of coai-ashes, liquid sili- HAROLD HATHAWAX 5 cate of soda as a binder, and finer-spar as a Witnesses:

setting agent, substantially as described. I n testin I I have signed my JOHN O.' E'nwARns, Aveosr i' E.

DEAN. 

